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Celebrating the Wins That Lift Us All
David Bear & Collier Merrill Honored
David Bear CEO
Lewis Bear Company
Celebrating a Legacy of Transformative Triumph Gulf Coast Leadership
After years of dedicated service, David Bear and Collier Merrill are concluding their terms on the Triumph Gulf Coast board, leaving a legacy of transformative leadership and lasting impact on Northwest Florida.
Bear and Merrill have been deeply engaged in their communities since the creation of the Triumph Gulf Coast fund, established with over $1.5 billion in BP settlement funds following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Tasked with distributing these funds to drive economic recovery across eight Panhandle counties, the board’s initiatives have significantly strengthened the region.
As board chair, David Bear championed transparency, strategic investment, and long-term sustainability. His leadership shaped a vision prioritizing workforce development, innovation, and job creation. Collier Merrill, serving as vice chair, was equally vital, advocating for projects that bolstered small businesses, enhanced educational opportunities, and improved infrastructure.
Together, Bear and Merrill guided the allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars into projects designed to ensure the region not only recovered but thrived with greater resilience. Their efforts supported career academies, maritime training programs, and economic diversification initiatives, leaving a lasting imprint on Northwest Florida.
Their departure marks the end of a significant chapter, but their influence will endure for generations. As Bear and Merrill step away, they leave a blueprint for purposeful stewardship, underscoring the power of local leadership in building a brighter future.
Collier Merrill President/Owner
Great Southern Restaurants, Merrill Land Company
The
DOWNTOWN CROWD | AUGUST 2025
Morgan Cole, Editor
As the temperature rises, so does the excitement over the completion of Pensacola’s new pickleball facility, Portside Pickle. Spanning more than 300 feet of waterfront along Commendencia Slip at the Port of Pensacola, this state-ofthe-art facility is truly a pickler’s paradise.
We recently had the opportunity to meet with Portside Pickle Co-owner, Wilbur Matthews, to tour the completed portions of the new facility, which are set to open by the end of summer. Check out the story on page 15 to learn about what’s in store for Pensacola’s newest waterfront destination, which I can assure, is nothing short of impressive.
This month, we’ve also brought you details on a new business that’s offering a unique hands-on experience in downtown Pensacola. Owned by local husband-and-wife duo Bre and Elliott Henderson, Tijon is a custom fragrance lab where guests can create their own signature scent. We had a chance to visit the lab to learn more about the art of perfume-making and what all goes into crafting your own scent. The experience was not only fun, but also informative, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
DTC Assistant Editor, Nicole Willis, also had the opportunity to catch up with Blind Melon’s very own, Christopher Thorn, for an exclusive interview prior to the band’s upcoming show at Vinyl later this month. Be sure to check out the interview on page 8.
All this, plus details on a new Pensacola-based artist collective, The Undergrowth, the return of Pensacola’s annual Emerald Coast Beer Festival and more.
As always, we hope you enjoy the read.
Until next time, Cheers!
Three Decades. One Family. A Journey of Heartache and Forgiveness.
Madeline Mitchell is a famed theatre actress at the peak of her career. However, her illustrious life on the stage pales in comparison to the drama behind the scenes with her two adult children, Charlie and Bea. Set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, Three Decembers explores themes of family secrets, love, loss, and the challenges of connection.
Three Decembers is a modern, chamber opera presented in English. Lasting 90 minutes, this show features Pensacola Opera family Kara Shay Thomson and two of our 2025-26 Jan Miller Studio Artists, conducted by Music Director Cody Martin.
Three Decembers
Tickets start at just $31!
September 19 + 21, 2025
UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Tickets: $30; Students: $15
THROUGH THE RAIN
Blind Melon’s Christopher Thorn Talks Music & Legacy
By Nicole Willis
If you grew up in the 1990s, you’re more than likely familiar with Blind Melon’s breakout song No Rain. The track soared in popularity partially due to its whimsical music video—featuring the now-iconic “Bee Girl”—which received heavy airtime on MTV.
Just as the group began its rise to fame, they were faced with tragedy when lead singer Shannon Hoon passed away at only 28 years old. Following Hoon’s death, the group attempted to continue the band, even holding auditions for a new lead singer, but failed to find a suitable replacement. Ultimately, the group disbanded in 1999.
In 2006, Blind Melon reunited with new lead singer Travis Warren. Today, the band continues to tour with Warren, along with original members guitarist Roger Stevens,
guitarist Christopher Thorn, drummer Glen Graham, and bassist Nathan Towne, who joined the group in 2017.
Blind Melon’s first headlining tour since 2019 is currently underway, which includes an upcoming stop at Vinyl Music Hall in downtown Pensacola. We had the opportunity to catch up with Thorn ahead of the band’s upcoming show to discuss some of their latest endeavours, career highlights and how they’ve weathered the highs and lows over the years.
Blind Melon will take the stage at Vinyl Music Hall on August 15 at 8 pm. For tickets and show details, visit vinylmusichall.com. Follow @blindmelonband on Instagram and Facebook for clips, photos and updates on their current tour.
Blind Melon’s sound stood apart in the midst of the ‘90s grunge wave. What influenced your sound and songwriting approach in the band’s early days?
Thorn: I would say absolutely nothing to do with the sound of grunge. I don’t mean it disrespectfully, but my influences were more like Bob Dylan and older artists. I didn’t really have the same guitar sound as all those guys. It’s funny—now, when I hear records from that time, everybody’s pretty darn distorted. I was pretty clean. I just had very different influences than a lot of the influences that formed the grunge sound. I wouldn’t say we had that [grunge sound] in our band, but it was that period of time, so we got lumped in with everybody, but it wasn’t really our thing.
Would you be able to give a little insight into your writing process? What comes first, the riff or the lyrics?
Thorn: Every single thing I’ve written is always on the acoustic. It’s usually sort of a late-night process for me— sitting around with the acoustic and an idea pops up. I also have tons of recordings. Back in the day, I traveled with a cassette recorder. At this point, I always have my phone with me for the little iPhone recordings. Then, if something feels special, I’ll either know it at that moment, or I might know it the next day. For me, really good songs come with a melody, and maybe they have a little spark of a lyric that gets me started.
Photos courtesy of Keith Isola
Between Blind Melon, your other projects and collaborations with other artists over the years, how has your perspective on music changed?
Thorn: . When I’m working with people as a producer, I always say, ‘One song can change your life.’ That perspective hasn’t changed. The right song will change everyone’s life in that band and everyone around them. I still have to believe that it’s just about writing a song that connects with people, and that’s the magical part. Sometimes you don’t know why a song is magical and connects with people, but with the process of writing and rewriting, you’re giving yourself your best options to have one of those songs that are a little special. We had No Rain and Change —songs like that just appear.
You’ve had both great successes and devastating losses in this band—what’s kept you grounded throughout your career?
Thorn: My family keeps me grounded. I married my high school sweetheart, so she’s been with me since the early ‘90s when Blind Melon was getting signed. I have a great grounding when it comes to my family, and I would say that’s probably what’s kept me as grounded as I could possibly be in this business.
Is there something that you’re especially proud of from your career with Blind Melon?
Thorn: I’m proud of some of my favorite songs that I wrote with Shannon, like ones from the album Soup, as well as Pull, Paper Scratcher and Drive. I’m proud of those songs that we wrote together and that people still care about—that’s really incredible.
When playing some of the older songs today, do you feel the same way about them emotionally?
Thorn: No, not at all—I feel twice as emotional about them. That’s the truth. The songs that I wrote in my 20s are now twice as emotional to me. I had no idea when I was writing in my 20s that these could be songs that people still want to hear in 35 years. They feel extra special to me now, especially seeing the connection that the audience has with them. I probably took it for granted more in my 20s. Now, I have an incredible feeling of being humbled by the fact that people still care about our songs.
Are there any newer artists that you feel are carrying the torch or that you’re particularly inspired by?
Thorn: I don’t know about carrying on the torch, but I love new music. I’m the biggest Dominic Fike fan. To me, he’s about as good as it gets out there. I also love the band Grouplove. There’s lots of new stuff that I love, and I’m always looking for the new thing that excites me.
With the cultural shift towards ‘90s nostalgia, have you seen a new generation of fans discovering Blind Melon?
Thorn: 100 percent. That’s what we’re seeing at the shows. The other night we played, and I was like, ‘Oh my god. The whole first few rows are all 20 year olds!’ It’s so cool and also incredibly flattering. I’d like to think every new generation gets turned on to the best [artists] of the decade before them. Hopefully, we get to be a part of their discovery.
What can fans expect from a Blind Melon show?
Thorn: We’re out there to have a great time. We’re having fun. You’re having fun. That’s really the only goal. It’s just the exchange of good energy that is in the room. The ultimate goal is to make sure everyone forgets about everything in the universe for the hour and a half that we’re playing for them. Everyone can just escape, and that’s what we’re doing, too. That’s my hope.
Does Blind Melon have any new projects on the horizon?
Thorn: Oh yeah, we have a bunch of new songs. We released a few singles in the last couple of years, and we’re always writing. We’ll wind up releasing a record at some point, I’d like to think, but right now we’ve just been busy on the road.
Fragrance Foundry
Invent Your Own Scent at Tijon Pensacola
By Morgan Cole
A unique hands-on experience has arrived in Downtown Pensacola. Tijon, a custom fragrance lab, is now open at 160 South Jefferson Street, offering guests the chance to create their own signature scent.
Perfect for date nights, group outings and even solo adventures, Tijon’s perfume-making classes walk guests through the process of blending a custom fragrance. No prior experience is needed—just your nose and creativity.
The studio provides all the materials and expert guidance you need to help you craft a scent that’s uniquely yours.
Local couple Bre and Elliott Henderson are the proud owners and operators of Tijon Pensacola. The duo’s passion for scent, quality time and hands-on experiences led them to bring a Tijon location to Pensacola.
“My wife and a group of her friends visited the Tijon in New Orleans for a girls’ night out, and she loved it. When she came back home, she told me all about it and said that we had to bring this type of experience to Pensacola,” Elliott said. “My wife and I enjoy going on date nights, and after living here for six years, we found that the options were limited when it came to fun date night places. You can only eat at so many restaurants, so we wanted to bring a new type of experience like this to the area—something that would be good for date nights and outings with friends, where you can interact and enjoy a fun, hands-on activity together.”
Founded in 2007 on the Caribbean island of St. Martin, Tijon combines a curated retail experience with award-winning perfume-making
labs. Since the humble beginnings of its flagship fragrance lab in St. Martin nearly 20 years ago, the company has expanded to include 10 locations in major cities across the U.S.
“Tijon was founded in French St. Martin, so we are French-inspired. Tijon stayed in the Caribbean for almost two decades until 2021, when the first store opened in Charleston, S.C., and then, in 2022, the second store opened in New Orleans,” Elliott explained. “This year alone, eight new stores opened in the U.S. because this is where our founder wanted to rapidly grow.”
For each of Tijon’s interactive classes, guests receive an official lab coat to wear, an educational workbook, expert-led instruction
“The Tijon experience gives you a unique opportunity to explore the world of fragrance, have some fun and create something that’s entirely your own.”
and access to more than 300 fragrance oils and multi-component bases to blend their custom fragrance. Once the scent is finalized, guests have the chance to personally name their custom scent. With nearly 53 million different combinations, the possibilities are endless.
“The Tijon experience gives you a unique opportunity to explore the world of fragrance, have some fun and create something that’s entirely your own,” Elliott said. “At the end of each class, guests will walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of fragrance and a custom scent they love.”
Tijon Pensacola offers four hands-on classes at various price levels: Fragrance After Dark, Fragrance 101, Mix & Match and Express.
Their most popular class, Fragrance After Dark, lasts about 90 minutes and costs $125 per person. For this class, each guest creates three custom perfumes and bottles their favorite to take home. Guests also receive a gift bag of Tijon products valued at up to $45. Fragrance After Dark is an adult-only class and is perfect for romantic date nights, bridal parties and private celebrations. Fragrance After Dark is held weekly on Friday and Saturday at 6:30 pm, and advance registration is required through the Tijon website.
Tijon’s most extensive class, Fragrance 101, lasts 2 to 3 hours and costs $175 per person. This class offers a deeper dive into the science and history of perfume-making, allowing guests to create as many custom scents as time allows. This immersive experience uses Tijon’s full perfume organ, featuring more than 300 high-quality fragrance oils to choose from. Guests also receive a gift bag of Tijon products valued at up to $45.
Tijon’s Mix & Match class is available daily, with sessions available at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4 pm. It lasts around 90 minutes and costs $99 per person. For the Mix & Match class, guests will create three custom perfumes and bottle their favorite to take home. Mix & Match classes are offered on select days and times, and guests must register in advance through the Tijon website.
Reserved for walk-in customers during regular business hours, Tijon’s Express class lasts 45 minutes and costs $69 per person. Designed for guests on the go, the Express class allows guests to create two custom perfumes and bottle their favorite to take home. This class uses their 40 most popular fragrance oils and 12 expertly blended premixed bases, making for a quick, fun and creative session.
At the end of each class, guests are invited to enjoy a champagne toast to celebrate their new custom creation. Before departing, guests are also awarded with an official certificate of achievement.
If you fall in love with your custom scent, you don’t have to take another class to recreate it. Tijon saves your custom formula in their system, so that it can easily be re-ordered or transformed into a different type of product.
“All of our scents can also be made into a lotion, body cream, massage oil, body oil or home and linen mist, so you can enjoy your custom fragrance outside of it being a cologne or perfume,” Elliott explained.
Tijon also offers private scent-making classes, which can be booked for larger groups and special events such as bridal showers, birthdays, baby showers, corporate team building exercises
and more. Each class can accommodate up to 20 people at any given time.
With a selection of classes designed for all types of visitors, from informative 45-minute introductions to in-depth 3-hour explorations, Tijon’s goal is to transform the magic of perfumery into an art that’s within reach for everyone.
“A scent is more than just something you wear,” Elliott said. “It’s something you feel. Our sense of smell is connected to our memory, emotion and well-being, making fragrance one of the most powerful forms of self-expression.”
Apart from custom products, Tijon also offers a variety of retail items for sale, including four Pensacola-inspired fragrances that can only be found at this location. The shop’s boutique also features a selection of Tijon perfumes, lotions and balms, as well as soaps, jewelry and other gifts, including candles by Pensacola Candle Company.
Since the opening of its flagship fragrance lab in St. Martin, Tijon has expanded to include a franchise of 10 independently owned and operated locations in cities across the U.S., with Pensacola as one of its newest locations.
Tijon is open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 6 pm.
For more information on Tijon and booking a perfume-making class, visit tijon.com/pages/ pensacola. You can also follow Tijon Pensacola on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for updates on new scent experiences, access to secret sales, giveaways, private events and more.
Photos by Katie Brabham and Bryce Jollie
Crafting Community Through Art
Inside Pensacola’s New Artist Collective, The Undergrowth
By Nicole Willis
What began as a small craft night hosted by five friends has quickly evolved into a grassroots artist collective dedicated to supporting local creatives and building community through art.
The Undergrowth is a growing collective of multi-disciplinary artists who have united over their shared passion for art and community. The Pensacola-based artist collective recently hosted its first DIY art show, which attracted more than 200 attendees.
Established in early 2025, The Undergrowth was founded by local artists Grace Cole and Jadyn Gilliard, as well as Cole’s roommate and fellow artist, Adrianna Campagna. The group is dedicated to promoting community and resilience for local creatives and providing a punk house-style gallery space for queer artists and allies across the Gulf Coast to showcase their work.
The idea to establish The Undergrowth came to fruition during a craft night gathering at Cole and Campagna’s home. The friends regularly hosted craft nights where fellow artists and creatives were invited to show up and let their creativity flow.
“The Undergrowth started as a friendship between a few of us, and then it suddenly became this large group of artists in this community,” Cole said. “A couple of months ago, a few of us wanted to do a craft night, so we started doing craft nights every Monday. Each Monday, there was one more person, and then the next there was one more, and so on. Then we suddenly had about 35 people in my house, and I was like, ‘Whoa, people are really enjoying this.’ So, we opened it up to a lot more people,” Cole said.
With every craft night, more and more artists were connecting and creating together. Eventually, the small group of friends who gathered for craft nights blossomed into a large collective of artists, prompting the group to come up with an official name.
“We thought about [the collective’s name] for weeks. One night, we all sat down to brainstorm. We wrote down the way we’re feeling, and we had all of these crazy words like undertow, flesh, dirt and salt. Then, all of a sudden, undergrowth came up, and it was beautiful,” Cole said. “One of our friends, Michael, just said it out loud, ‘What about The Undergrowth?’ We thought that sounded really cool, because we’re the little undergrowth of Pensacola. It just stuck.”
Seeing the sense of community these craft night gatherings fostered, Cole wanted to open her home’s doors to artists in a bigger way; so, the group came together to host an art show. The invite was extended to everyone in the community, from artists to art lovers alike.
The art show, aptly titled Our House, was held at Cole and Campagna’s East Hill home and showcased the work of more than 40 local artists and creatives, some of whom had never displayed their work publicly before.
“We had about 30 artists turn work into our jury submission. I thought, ‘People just don’t know about us enough.’ So we posted on our Instagram story that we would accept any art of any kind, and people just showed up with their art on the day of the show. And we were like, ‘Yeah, hang it up.’ I think we ended up having 45 artists in total,” Cole said.
The interior and exterior walls of the house were adorned with pieces of artwork by local creatives. From oil paintings and photographs to multimedia art and even sculptures, the show highlighted a variety of creative mediums, with each piece having its own unique expression. Apart from the visual art, local emo band Other provided the soundtrack for the night.
The roommates had a creative vision for the house before they even moved in. “The first time Adrianna and I toured this house, it was empty. We immediately looked at each other and said, ‘We’ve got to do a show here,’” Cole explained. “Designing shows has really been a labor of intensity and love—it’s one of my big passions.”
Although established only a few months ago, The Undergrowth has already given back to the local community and beyond. The collective recently donated proceeds from their Our House art show to Strive Pensacola, an organization that works to support and serve the needs of queer and transgender individuals within Pensacola, as well as the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA), a nonprofit organization working for the rights and well-being of children in the Middle East. The Undergrowth awarded over $700 to each organization.
“I would say about 75 percent, if not more, of our collective is queer in some way, shape or form. We really wanted to make sure that whatever we were doing was not just for us, so we chose to donate to Strive because they are a local entity,” Cole explained. “We also wanted to make sure that our proceeds reached beyond the local community, so we also donated half of our proceeds to MECA, which helps children in the Middle East. Specifically, the money donated is going to women and children in Gaza.”
With the success of Our House and the community support, Cole and The Undergrowth have no plans of slowing down. The craft night gatherings that set the framework for which The Undergrowth was built upon continue to be hosted regularly. Cole said the collective plans to host another art show again soon, which will likely take place this fall.
“We’re planning on doing a show by the end of the year again, hopefully in October or November. We want to do some kind of creature feature, creepy crawly event of some kind, and we’re really focused on getting the community together for this one,” Cole said.
If you’re interested in unleashing your creativity during a craft night or displaying your art at the next show, The Undergrowth is open to everyone.
Follow @the.undergrowth on Instagram to keep up with upcoming events and future shows. Individuals interested in getting involved with The Undergrowth can reach out through the group’s Instagram page.
A Pickler’s Paradise A Pickler’s Paradise
By Morgan Cole
Move over, tennis! There’s a new favorite sport in town, and it’s taking over courts across the country. The pickleball frenzy is here!
Somewhere between tennis, badminton and ping-pong lies pickleball, and the Sports and Fitness Industry Association says it’s the fastest-growing sport in the United States.
If you have never played pickleball, you’re more than likely wondering—much like myself—what exactly it is, and why this peculiar-named sport has become so popular.
Played on a small court with a paddle and a lightweight plastic ball, it’s easy to learn, surprisingly competitive and a blast to play— whether you’re 18 or 80. Often considered as the “sweet spot” between other popular racquet sports, pickleball provides a great workout without being overly strenuous. The sport’s smaller court size, slower pace and simple rules make it easier to learn and play, attracting a broad range of ages and skill levels.
Pickleball was invented on a warm summer afternoon in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Congressman Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, as a way to entertain their families.
Combining elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis, the families played on an old badminton court with ping-pong paddles
and a wiffle ball, lowering the badminton net as a way to make the game more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. By the end of the summer, the families had established their own set of rules for the game, many of which remain fundamental in pickleball today.
With a few intriguing theories on how the game earned its funny name, the name is often attributed to Joel Pritchard’s wife, Joan, who referenced the “pickle boat” in crew races. Other theories suggest it was named after their family dog, Pickles, who would always chase after the ball.
From its humble origins as a backyard game played between families, pickleball has evolved to become a globally recognized sport, with participation in the US growing by nearly 20 million players in 2024.
Photos courtesy of Portside Pickle
The sport’s rapid increase in popularity has resulted in a significant shortage of courts, prompting a surge in demand for both public and private facilities. This shortage is leading to longer wait times for players and causing communities to rethink how they use existing recreational spaces.
With rising demands for more court space in cities across the country—including Pensacola—it’s no question that pickleball is here to stay.
With their eye on the ball, a group of businessmen combined forces to develop an innovative solution to meet the growing demand for pickleball space here in Pensacola, and it’s called Portside Pickle.
We had the opportunity to meet with Wilbur Matthews, Head Pickler in Charge, and Kelli Reeves, VP of Operations, to tour the new state-of-the-art pickleball facility and learn more about the project as phase one nears completion.
Matthews is one of three business partners spearheading the project, along with local attorney Scott Remington and project developer Robert Fabbro.
Matthews, who is a longtime friend of Remington, recently relocated to Pensacola from San Antonio, Texas, after retiring from a long career in global investments. As a passionate pickleballer himself,
Matthews was immediately on board when he learned about the opportunity from Remington.
“People are lining up at mayor’s offices across the country requesting more dedicated pickleball courts to be built. The closest dedicated pickleball complex is in Daphne, Ala. There aren’t nearly enough quality courts within 50 miles of Pensacola,” Matthews explained. “There are only 18 dedicated pickleball courts in the area, and four additional courts have only just recently opened in Gulf Breeze. Most of today’s courts are multi-use gymnasiums or tennis courts that have been repurposed, many with no restrooms or amenities.”
The property where Portside Pickle is located was once a large, vacant warehouse that was originally built to hold bulk materials being transferred in and out of the Port of Pensacola. Prior to finalizing the lease agreement for the new facility with the City of Pensacola, the underutilized warehouse was being used to store three Mardi Gras floats and had not had a long-term tenant since 1979.
The team worked with experts at top pickleball facility, design and operations firm Johns Design & Consulting, which was co-founded by pickleball legends Ben and John Collins.
Portside Pickle is situated next to the new American Magic headquarters along Commendencia Slip at
the Port of Pensacola. Once complete, it will be one of the largest pickleball facilities in the Southeast, and indisputably, one of the coolest pickleball venues along the Gulf Coast.
“When it’s all said and done, Portside Pickle will be nationally recognized as one of the top 10 pickleball facilities in the country,” Matthews said.
Developers broke ground on the multi-phase project in May 2024. Today, after 14 months of construction, the first phase of the project is now complete and is expected to open to the public in late summer.
When Portside Pickle officially opens for play, guests will have access to the outdoor portion of the facility, which includes three tournament-size pickleball courts, with five more currently in the works, which are also set to open soon.
Phase one also includes a waterfront bar and entertainment area with giant lawn games, a concessions area with space for two food trucks and a temporary pro shop, which will eventually have its own space inside the completed warehouse.
The entire facility boasts a nautical vibe, from the color scheme and decor to the re-purposed shipping containers that house the outdoor bar and temporary pro shop.
The team has recruited Romeo Amodo as Director of Fire & Ice to spearhead the food and beverage program for the new facility. Amodo has an extensive background in the hospitality industry, serving as the manager and helping develop the menus for some of the area’s top dining establishments.
Amodo and his team are working to develop the menu for the bars, which will eventually offer a variety of craft cocktails and signature drinks, assorted beers, wines, sodas and more. For now, the outdoor bar will serve a variety of ready-to-drink cocktails, beers, wines and seltzers until the full menu is released.
In addition to the bar and large waterfront entertaining area, the facility also boasts a massive 240-seat bar that spans the entire perimeter of the three completed outdoor courts.
“We have the longest bar top in all of Florida,” Reeves said. “We also have plenty of entertaining space along the water for those who want to sit down and hang out while they enjoy a drink or a bite to eat.”
Phase one also includes Portside Pickle’s temporary pro shop. Also housed in a bright blue shipping container near the entrance of the facility, the pro shop’s walls are lined with a curated assortment of top-notch pickleball equipment, accessories, apparel and branded Portside Pickle merchandise.
Reeves explained that she and the team carefully selected and tested every brand and product sold in the pro shop, which boasts 15 different brands of pickleball paddles by some of the top manufacturers in the industry, including Selkirk, ProXR, Six Zero, Paddletek, Bread & Butter, Pickleball Apes and more.
With phase one now complete, the Portside Pickle team is working diligently to prepare the outdoor portion of the facility for opening day.
The next phase of construction includes revamping the interior of the warehouse, which is planned to feature 10 tournament-size pickleball courts and two regulation-size padel courts.
“Padel is another type of racket sport that’s very popular in Europe and Latin America,” Matthews explained. “It’s highly social and combines elements of tennis and squash. Padel played on an enclosed court with walls that players can utilize to their advantage. It’s rising in popularity in the U.S., so we wanted to incorporate a couple padel courts as well.”
In addition to the pickleball and padel courts, the indoor portion will include a full bar, seating areas and other amenities like baseball and golf simulators. The revamped 45,000-square-foot warehouse building will also serve as the pro shop’s new permanent home, with 2,000 square feet of dedicated floor space.
“This space has so much potential. We will have the ability to host leagues, tournaments, clinics and lessons by certified coaches,” Reeves said.
Portside Pickle will offer memberships along with hourly court rentals. While specific rates have not been finalized, Matthews explained that they will more than likely offer different levels of membership, with “drop-in” play for visitors and travelers and
“open” play for members to ensure there’s always a game available.
Individuals will be able to reserve courts online or by using their mobile app. “The app will also allow guests to place an order for food or drinks from the bar to have delivered to them courtside,” Matthews explained.
Whether you’re an avid pickler or simply want to come and enjoy a few drinks on the waterfront with friends, everyone is welcome at Portside Pickle.
“Membership or entry fees won’t be required for those wanting to come and watch or grab a drink at the bar. This is a space for everyone,” Matthews said.
While an exact opening date has yet to be announced, the first phase of Portside Pickle is planned to open to the public by the end of summer.
Although subject to change, the hours of operation for Portside Pickle will be 7 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, and 1 am to 11 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For now, you can follow Portside Pickle on Facebook or Instagram @portsidepickle for updates and sneak peeks of the new facility leading up to opening day.
Stay tuned for complete details on court rentals and membership rates, which will be posted to the Portside Pickle website at portsidepickle.com.
In addition to breweries, the festival will also host several wineries and area homebrew clubs from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Originally founded by the Florida Brewers Guild, the festival was taken over by the EBHC back in 1999. “It started as an event to get area brewers and homebrewers together for a fun time after Labor Day,” EBHC Treasurer Jim Martin said.
Emerald Coast Beer Festival has earned its reputation as the
Since the EBHC takeover, the festival has grown to become one of the largest beer events in the Southeast. “We worked with the folks at Seville Quarter to set it up,” Martin explained. “The festival started out in the parking lot in the back of Seville and Apple Annie’s [inside Seville Quarter]. Today, we close the entire street out front and use all the rooms inside Seville.
Since being taken over by the EBHC, the festival has experienced tremendous growth, attracting more than 2,500 attendees in 2019.
“We have grown from 176 attendees the first year to more than 2,500 the year before COVID,” Martin explained. “Last year was the first time we had rain during the festival, but attendance was still around 1,400.”
The ECHBC started with a small group of craft beer lovers in the spring of 1985, back when the craft brew scene only happened in the garages and basements of enthusiasts. Today, the ECHBC consists of more than 100
By Darien Hardy
Photos courtesy of Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club
Pensacola’s largest and oldest craft beer tasting event is back
members who craft all types of adult beverages, including beer, wine, mead and cider. Since its establishment, the club has developed connections with other homebrew clubs across the country.
The festival will feature a variety of tasty brews and craft beverages from more than a dozen regional homebrew clubs, as well as several major regional beer distributors. Attendees will also be able to purchase food from local food truck vendors and enjoy live music performed across several stages.
The 2025 Emerald Coast Beer Festival will be held on September 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola. With two types of admission tickets available, attendees will have a range of fun activities to choose from throughout the event.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at emeraldcoastbeerfest.com. General admission tickets are $25 for EBHC members and $35 for general admission before the event. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event for $40.
General admission tickets provide access to samples of more than 200 craft beers with an Emerald Coast Beer Fest tasting glass, live music, various food vendors and exclusive entry to the event after-party inside Seville Quarter.
For $80, individuals can purchase VIP admission tickets, which include everything from general admission, as well as early access to the festival with entry beginning at 5 pm, hors d’oeuvres, mead tasting and complimentary craft spirits from local distilleries.
The EBHC will donate a portion of this year’s event proceeds to benefit the Seville Rotary Club and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul AlfredWashburn Center.
This is the perfect opportunity to sample some of the best beers from the Emerald Coast and beyond. With hundreds of craft beers to choose from, you’re sure to find something you love.
For tickets and complete event details, visit emeraldcoastbeerfest.com and follow @emeraldcoastbeerfest on Facebook and Instagram.
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets and check out the full list of attending breweries.
AUGUST COMMUNITY EVENTS
August Home Games at Blue Wahoos Stadium
For more information and tickets, visit milb.com/pensacola
August 1 at 6:05 pm - Biloxi
Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos
August 2 at 6:05 pm - Biloxi
Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos
August 3 at 4:05 pm - Biloxi
Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos
August 12 at 6:05 pm - Birmingham
Barons vs Blue Wahoos
August 13 at 6:05 pm - Birmingham
Barons vs Blue Wahoos
August 14 at 6:05 pm - Birmingham
Barons vs Blue Wahoos
August 15 at 6:05 pm - Birmingham
Barons vs Blue Wahoos
August 16 at 6:05 pm - Birmingham
Barons vs Blue Wahoos
August 17 at 4:05 pm - Birmingham
Barons vs Blue Wahoos
August 26 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga
Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos
August 27 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga
Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos
August 28 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga
Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos
August 29 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga
Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos
August 30 at 6:05 pm - Chattanooga
Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos
August 31 at 4:05 pm - Chattanooga
Lookouts vs Blue Wahoos August
Secrets or Confessions Exhibit at Artel Gallery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Now through August 22
The Artel Gallery in downtown Pensacola is currently exhibiting Secrets or Confessions through August 22, showcasing Close to Home by Gila Rayberg; It’s Showtime Folks by Wanda Azzario-Goldberg; The Art of Tray by Tara Ray and Best of Show Winner by Ruby Morris. Artel invites guests to view the exhibit during regular business hours on Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. There is no cost to enter or view the exhibit. For more details, including a calendar of other upcoming exhibits, visit artelgallery.org or follow Artel Gallery on Facebook.
Hot Wax Vinyl Fair at Odd Colony
. August 3
Odd Colony Brewing Co. is hosting its second annual Hot Wax Vinyl Fair! This event brings together a variety of local vinyl vendors, offering tons of bins of records to dig through. Grab a tote bag, an ice-cold beer and flip through some incredible records. Whether you’re a casual collector or an
audiophile, there’s something for everyone at Hot Wax Vinyl Fair. The event runs from 12 to 4 pm on August 3. Odd Colony Brewing Co. is located at 260 N. Palafox St. in Pensacola. For event details, visit facebook.com/oddcolony/events.
Cinemas in the Sand
August 8
The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) will be hosting “Cinemas in the Sand,” free familyfriendly movie nights. Held at the Gulfside Pavilion on Casino Beach, Cinemas in the Sand allows families to come together and enjoy the beautiful beach and a wholesome movie. Get out your beach chairs, pack the cooler and head out to the beach for some family fun. On August 8, the SRIA will be showing Shrek. The movie will begin playing at 7:30 pm on a giant inflatable outdoor movie screen. For more information visit visitpensacolabeach.com.
The Supervillains at The Handlebar
August 9
Born from the swamps of St. Cloud, Florida in 1997, The Supervillains have spent nearly three decades fusing ska, punk and reggae into their own brand of rowdy, high-energy rock. What started as a group of misfit musicians with a rebellious streak quickly evolved into a full-force touring machine, bringing their infectious sound to countless stages across North America. In Summer 2025, the band hits the road again for an ambitious USA tour, including a stop at The Handlebar in Pensacola. The group will be joined by local acts Nothing Short of Pure and Panhandle Pirates. The show begins at 9 pm, and The Handlebar is located at 319 N. Tarragona St. For tickets and show details, visit thehandlebar850.com.
Great Southern Restaurants’ Restaurant Week
August 11-17
Great Southern Restaurants’ five restaurants— The Fish House, Atlas Oyster House, Jackson’s Steakhouse, Five Sisters Blues Café and Angelena’s Ristorante Italiano—are teaming up to present Summer Restaurant Week. Now in its fifteenth year, Great Southern Restaurants’ Restaurant Week is a culinary celebration that offers world-class dining at a great value. Chefs from each restaurant prepare a threecourse, fixed-price dinner menu utilizing the best local and seasonal ingredients. Meals are $33 per person, per restaurant. Diners are encouraged to try each special menu at each restaurant during the week. Special menus will be available at each restaurant from August 11 to August 17, beginning at 5 pm, along with the standard dinner menus. For further information and to view each menu, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at the Saenger
. . August 16
Fresh from playing their thousandth show, retro musical collective Postmodern Jukebox has announced the 2025 U.S. summer leg of their Magic & Moonlight world tour. The cast features
some of the world’s best singers, dancers and instrumentalists. Concertgoers will enter a parallel musical universe where modern-day earworms and iconic pop hits alike are reimagined in classic genres like 1920s jazz, swing, doo-wop and Motown—think The Great Gatsby meets Back to the Future. This rare concert act appeals to multiple generations, as older audience members will fall in love with the timeless sounds and nostalgic sensibilities, while younger fans will be thrilled by the fresh take on current pop culture and the sheer virtuosity of the performers on stage. The Pensacola Saenger Theatre is located at 118 S. Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8. For tickets and complete show details, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Blue Angels Practice Dates
August 20, 26 & 27
The world-famous Blue Angels can be seen practicing over the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola on select days throughout the year. Watch them soar and visit the museum for free. The gates will open at 9:30 am. The practice flight demonstrations can also be viewed outside of NAS Pensacola, including Fort Pickens, boat cruises, and various points throughout downtown. The Blue Angels will take off around 10:30 am and the practices last for about 55 minutes. The National Naval Aviation Museum is located at 1750 Radford Blvd. in Pensacola. Practice schedules are subject to change. For more information, visit navalaviationmuseum.org/blueangels.
O’Riley’s Irish Pub’s Bartender Championship
August 24
O’Riley’s Irish Pub will host its 8th Annual Bartender Championship this August. The event will feature up to 12 bartenders competing for the top prize. Each bartender will make a unique cocktail with a special ingredient. Winners will be determined by a panel of judges, and there will also be an audience favorite prize. Tickets for attendees are $25 and include samples of cocktails prepared by the bartenders and sponsors. The event starts at 2:30 pm at 321 S. Palafox St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and more information, visit orileyspub.com.
AI in Action: Mastering the Marketing World with AI
August 28
In a world transformed by artificial intelligence, American Advertising Federation Pensacola (AAF Pensacola) presents an insightful lunch panel event designed to master its impact on today’s marketing landscape. Cut through the technical jargon and discover actionable processes and insights to make AI your ultimate strategic advantage. The experiential event—complete with lunch—will explore practical applications with applicable takeaways and discuss the ethics surrounding AI. “AI in Action” will take place at Long Hollow Creatives, located at 700 N. Guillemard St., from 12 pm to 2 pm. For tickets and complete details, visit aafpensacola.com.
Candlelight Concerts
August 29
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Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations. On August 29, two shows will take place—Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele and Candlelight: Neo-Soul and HipHop Favorites A Tribute to Adele runs from 7 to 8:15 pm, and features all of your Adele favorites like Rolling in the Deep and Hello Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites runs from 9 to 10:15 pm and features popular hip-hop hits by artists like Lauryn Hill, SZA, Sade and more. Doors open 45 minutes before showtime. All music will be performed by the Palafox String Quartet at First United Methodist Church under the gentle glow of candlelight. First United Methodist Church is located at 6 E. Wright St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and information, visit feverup.com.
Rumours ATL at Vinyl Music Hall
August 29
Relive the magical sounds of Fleetwood Mac with Rumours ATL - A Fleetwood Mac Tribute at Vinyl Music Hall. Formed in 2014, Rumours ATL has taken the US by storm with their hauntingly beautiful melodies and iconic sound. Since their establishment, the band has been touring and performing for audiences across the country. Come experience an authentic recreation of live Fleetwood Mac shows at Vinyl Music Hall, located at 2 S. Palafox St. in downtown Pensacola. Doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8. For tickets and more information, visit vinylmusichall.com.
The Flick at PLT
August 29 - September 7
Step into the quiet chaos of a fading movie theater in The Flick, Annie Baker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. As three employees sweep up popcorn and share their dreams between reels, unexpected bonds form in the flickering shadows. Subtle, heartfelt and bitingly funny, The Flick is a poignant love letter to cinema and the people who live just outside the spotlight. The Flick features mature themes. Pensacola Little Theatre is located at 400 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Pensacola. For tickets and more information, visit pensacolalittletheatre.com.
Tailgate Fest at Perfect Plain
. August 30
Get ready to kick off football season the right way with a massive tailgate! From 11 am to 6 pm, Perfect Plain Brewing Co. is shutting down Garden Street (from Tarragonna to Jefferson) for Tailgate Festival! The fest features a tailgate cook-off, where teams will compete for the title of “Best Tailgate Dish,” and a variety of prizes ranging from Blackstone products to Yeti coolers and more. In addition to the cookoff, there will also be football shown on huge projector screens, live music, food truck, dunk tanks, a bounce house and more. Grab your crew, rep your team colors and join Perfect Plain for an epic tailgate party that supports Gulf Coast Kid’s House! For registration information and more, visit facebook.com/ PerfectPlainBrewingCo/events.
MILITARYMATTERS
AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION
NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICER ONBOARD NAS WHITING FIELD
Cmdr.Stephanie Biehle has recently been appointed as the Executive Officer (XO) of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Milton. As XO, Biehle serves as the commanding officer’s primary representative and is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, training, discipline and overall performance of the command. Additionally, she ensures smooth coordination of personnel, enforces security and safety protocols, and manages schedules and inspections to maintain order and readiness. Acting as a vital leader alongside the commanding officer and command master chief, Biehle plays a key role in fostering communication and supporting the success of the entire command.
“My duties are to provide comprehensive support to the commanding officer, which allows him the ability to think strategically by attacking the tactical tasks such as the day-to-day operations,” Biehle said.
A native of San Diego, California, Biehle set her sights on receiving her commission to the Navy and becoming an aviator at a young age.
“When I was little, I told my father I wanted to fly, and he said, ‘Well pal, then you have to go to the Naval Academy.’ I took that and ran with it, that was my plan from five years of age —to go to the Naval Academy and become a pilot,” Biehle said.
Biehle did just that, graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in
English. She earned her Naval Aviator wings onboard NAS Pensacola in 2008 and reported to Helicopter Squadron 10 (HS-10) for initial fleet training as an SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopter pilot.
Biehle began her operational flying career in 2009 with the “Legendary Black Knights” of HS-4, which was later redesignated as Combat Squadron Four (HSC-4). While serving with the Black Knights, she deployed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and took part in key missions such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Tomodachi and Operation Rim of the Pacific.
She later joined HSC-2, known as the “Fleet Angels,” where she worked as an MH-60S fleet replacement squadron instructor. Additionally, she served as a flag aide to Rear Adm. David H. Lewis at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. Biehle then became part of the “Wildcards” squadron, taking on roles including safety officer, admin officer and operations officer.
Biehle’s career also included serving as the squadron admin officer and Command Advisor on Pregnancy and Parenthood (CAPP) at HSC-3. She further contributed as the deputy chief enterprise architect and transformation technical director, leading the Fleet Manning Requirements Determination and Shore Manning Requirements Determination programs under the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations.
Biehle completed a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies with a focus on counterterrorism from the Naval War College and completed her Executive Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Biehle initially reported to NAS Whiting Field in 2024, where she served as the installation fuel officer before transitioning to the command XO.
“There is no better installation than NAS Whiting Field. As the busiest airfield in the world and with the unmatched professionalism and effectiveness of the staff, Whiting truly is the crown jewel of Naval Aviation,” Biehle said. “Being a part of an installation triad is the best possible job, and I’m equally humbled and excited to be here.”
From late-night sets to symphonic swells, Foo Foo Fest has something for everyone. With 12 days of unforgettable arts and culture in Pensacola, FL, there’s only one thing you need to do: Plan nothing. Discover everything.
